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Dahlia leaves drooping

Dirty HarryDirty Harry Posts: 1,048
in Problem solving
This tuber had been growing well then I clocked the leaves looking sorry for themselves.



As the compost was dry I gave it a water but a day later it's still no better. 

Is it likely to be verticillium wilt? Have also noticed one small area on my Bishop of Leicester is getting the same.



The compost in the first one is older stuff I reused but the second one had fresh stuff.
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Posts

  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    Very unlikely if fresh compost has been used.
    Also although the disease is called Verticillium dahliae, it is very rare that it affects Dahlias. It is much more likely that it is a watering problem.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • Dirty HarryDirty Harry Posts: 1,048
    In what way? I've got 10 others all doing well, aiming to keep the compost moist but not sodden. Keeping the smaller tubers a touch drier to avoid why turning to mush.
  • Dirty HarryDirty Harry Posts: 1,048
    Bump 
  • NollieNollie Posts: 7,529
    Is it only the ones nearest the window what are drooping? If so they may be getting to hot?
    Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
  • Dirty HarryDirty Harry Posts: 1,048
    They all get plenty of sun in the conservatory so I doubt it.

    It's been cloudy today and it looks more limp if anything.
  • Dirty HarryDirty Harry Posts: 1,048
    Getting worse if anything and I've noticed a small patch of droopy leaves on another one now too.


  • Andy19Andy19 Posts: 671
    I would take them out the pots remove compost and report in fresh compost feed and water.
  • NollieNollie Posts: 7,529
    Dirty Harry said:
    They all get plenty of sun in the conservatory so I doubt it.

    It's been cloudy today and it looks more limp if anything.
    That’s exactly what I meant, Harry, by they could be getting too hot, plenty of sun in a (glazed) conservatory. The effects take a while to work through so the fact that they are drooping on cloudy days is not necessarily an indication that it wasn’t too much sun previously that caused the problem. The UK has had a hotter spring than normal, I believe? I had exactly the same problem with a young clematis in a pot wilting and looking poorly in my poly, despite it being very well ventilated and getting enough water. Experienced gardeners on here thought it was the poly getting too hot and muggy and I think they were right. Following advice (thank you @Obelixx!) I moved it outside into a sheltered position for a few days then planted it out and it has perked up. I’m not convinced it will survive, but worth doing similar just to see?
    Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
  • Dirty HarryDirty Harry Posts: 1,048
    Forecast is fairly mild at night for the next few days so might just leave them outside. Had been trying to get them outside during the day for a few days when I can.

    I've repotted the plant in my initial post and the tuber looked and felt fine. My only concern is the compost was still wet and it shouldn't have been, like the plant isn't even taking up the moisture.
  • NollieNollie Posts: 7,529
    Trying to remember biology lessons! If the capillary action of taking up water through the stems and leaves is impeded by collapse/wilting of the plant stem walls/zylem? and the leaves cannot get or transpire the water the compost will remain wet, so it does sound as if that is happening. Not sure what to do about that though - cut off the leaves that don’t look like they will recover and let the pot dry out before watering again? Might encourage new shoots from the base?
    Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
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